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ECCC Football Defeats Hinds 45-14 on Homecoming 2016--Recap

October 16, 2016

The East Central Community College football team took advantage of six Hinds Community College turnovers to win a big MACJC South Division matchup 45-14 on homecoming in Bailey Stadium in Decatur Saturday, Oct. 15.

The victory over the Eagles improved the Warriors to 4-3 on the season and 4-1 in the South Division to remain at the top spot of the South.

The Warriors scored on their first possession when quarterback Dominic Marino of Venice (Fla.) High School found Devonta Jones of Morton High School for 19-yard touchdown pass.

Freshman Xavier Williamson of Heidelberg High School then recovered the first Hinds’ fumble and ECCC took over on the Eagles’ 33.

Marino then hit freshman Antonio Gibson of Eagles Landing (Ga.) High School from 25 yards out to put the Warriors up 14-0 in the first quarter.

Hinds fumbled once again and this time Jalon Sangster of Louisville High School jumped on top of it to put the Warriors in business on the Eagles’ nine yard line.

With his third touchdown pass of the first quarter, Marino found Chris Deloach of Columbus High School on an 11-yard touchdown pass.

Sophomore Torran “Malik” Davis of Red Bank (Tenn.) High School then picked off a Hinds pass to give East Central the ball again, this time on its own 29.

The Warriors then drove 71 yards to set up a two-yard touchdown run from Dwayne Barnett of Harrison Central High School to put East Central up 28-0, still in the first quarter.

Davis picked off his second pass of the game, and this time returned it 23 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Warriors a 35-0 halftime lead.

The Eagles had opportunities to get points on the board, but missed two field goal attempts to remain scoreless in the first half.

During halftime East Central recognized the 2016 Homecoming Court and crowned 2016 Homecoming Queen Latesia Davis of Newton County High School.

Not long into the second half, Juwon Hayes-Keyes of Taylorsville High School recovered another Hinds fumble.

Barnett ran for another Warrior touchdown, this time for 21 yards on the Warriors’ second offensive play of the second half to push the score to 42-0.

Hayes-Keyes would pick off yet another Hinds pass in the third quarter, giving ECCC the ball at its own 47. The Warriors were not able to get into the end zone, but Meridian High School Aaron Garrett product added points on the board with a 39-yard field goal to help the Warriors go up 45-0.

Hinds scored two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter to close the score to 45-14.

For East Central, Marino was 9 for 14 through the air for 81 yards. Barnett was the leader in rushing yards with 88 total yards on 13 carries for the Warriors. Gibson was the top receiver with two catches for 25 yards. Thomas was the leading tackler with 10 tackles. Davis had eight tackles, two interceptions, and a touchdown.

The Warriors will travel to Senatobia to face the defending national champion Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers Thursday, Oct. 20, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. in Ranger Stadium.

(Top Photo) Warrior defensive back Malik Davis picks off a pass in the Homecoming win over Hinds. (Center Photo) Noah Nix darts forward for rushing yards in the win. (Bottom Photo) The Warrior Cheerleaders lead the team onto the field just before the opening kickoff. (EC PHotos)